Research Fellow

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,130 to £45,413 with potential progression once in post to £48,149

Contract Type: Fixed Term contract up to November 2026

Background

The post holder will create and contribute to the creation of knowledge by undertaking a specified range of activities within a specific research project funded by the NIHR Research Programme for Social Care (RPSC).

We are recruiting a postdoctoral researcher to play a significant role in an NIHR-funded Research Programme for Social Care (RPSC) study titled, “Understanding Care-Experienced Young People’s Mental Health Help-Seeking Behaviour in England.”

This mixed-methods study explores the mental health help-seeking behaviours of care-experienced young people (aged 13-25) in England. The term “care-experienced” includes those who live or have lived in non-biological foster care, kinship care, residential care, or are care leavers. 

The study involves a systematic review of the international literature, an online survey, and in-depth qualitative interviews with care-experienced young people. It also includes significant co-production of study outputs with care-experienced young people.

Main Duties

• Collect research data through a variety of research methods, including conducting a systematic review, and designing and implementing mixed-methods research including quantitative (survey) and qualitative (interviews) data collection and analysis
• Analyse and interpret both quantitative and qualitative data
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Undertake management/administration arising from research
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research conferences/seminars etc.
• Engage meaningfully with care-experienced young people and key stakeholders to co-produce research outputs, ensuring lived experiences are central to the study design, analysis, and dissemination
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at conferences, seminars and as posters 
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research 
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods

Person Specification

• First degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Psychology, Social Care, or a related field)
• PhD (or near to completion) in a field closely aligned with the research area 
• Demonstrated experience in conducting systematic reviews and evidence synthesis, and mixed-methods research, including both quantitative and qualitative approaches
• Proficiency using SPSS, NVivo, or similar quantitative and qualitative data analysis software
• Experience conducting research or working in a practice-based role with young people (ideally including care-experienced young people)
• High level analytical capability
• Ability to work independently under appropriate supervision
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent project management and organisational skills
• Experience of working collaboratively with others to deliver project outcomes

Informal enquiries to Dr Willem Stander: w.stander@bham.ac.uk 

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above.

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We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working.

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